Penalties for fake news?

Australia has to abandon plans against tech giants

No majority in sight: Australia's government has abandoned its plans to fine tech giants if they fail to curb the spread of false information.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland justified the withdrawal of a corresponding bill in a statement on Sunday by stating that there was no way to get the project through the Senate. The project had met with considerable resistance there.

"Fascists": Musk insulted government
US tech billionaire Elon Musk had also voiced sharp criticism, calling the Australian government "fascists" in September. The bill "to combat misinformation" provided for far-reaching powers to fine tech giants five percent of their annual turnover for breaches of online safety obligations.

Australia is currently planning an age limit of 16 for the use of online networks such as Instagram and TikTok. Draft legislation was introduced to parliament in Canberra on Thursday, according to which network operators could face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (equivalent to around 31 million euros) if they do not install appropriate access restrictions.

If the changes sought by Communications Minister Rowland are passed, Australia would have one of the strictest laws for operators of online platforms.